Review: Tiffany Girl

 

Flossie Jayne, a beautiful budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to be an independent New Woman at a time when most of the fair sex stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than she anticipated. From a Casanova male to an unconventional married couple and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world. - Summary from publisher.

My Thoughts: I really loved the first half of this book; it showcases a lot of work at Tiffany. I loved those moments. The second half of the book focused more on her relationships. Not that they were bad, but that I read this book for the Tiffany parts, and I wanted more of those. Instead, the second half glossed over her work.

How it influenced me: Because of this book, I make treks to see Tiffany windows in Nantucket while there on vacation. After reading this, I appreciated the windows so much more. I mean, they are gorgeous, but reading about the section of glass heightened the experience.  

Windows of St Paul's:

Aren't they stunning?

I love it when the book world spills over into real life.

Picture Book Review: Cats in Construction Hats

The cats are building something - what could it be. When a mistake happens, everyone pitches in to help. 

This transportation book is great - lots of colors and vocabulary words. There's so much to talk about with this book. I love the final product. This is a great STEAM book

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Reads

 This week's topic is all about genre reads. I used to read A LOT of paranormal and fantasy reads back during their golden days era. They are coming back around again. Here are some paranormal books I'm looking forward to reading. 

Paranormal:

Fantasy:

Any of these on your list too? 

Middle Grade Review: Risky Business

* Book 2 of the The Liars Society *

Now that Weatherby and Jack have determined they're family, they can't be separated. Their parents are not fond of their relationship and forbid them to visit each other's houses. Weatherby and her mom move into the guest house on Jack's property. 

They both have been invited to participate in a game to join a secret society. But the games aren't easy. Especially this time around - someone has it in for Weatherby. The stakes rise with each level of the game. Who is coming for Weatherby?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - lots of action, danger, and lots of drama. I felt badly for Weatherby with someone coming after her - the games were no joke. I really liked all the puzzles the society creating.  All the family stuff was interesting - from both sides. There are some really horrible people.  I loved Weatherby with her best friend- they were super cute together. There are a lot of secrets in this book. I couldn't read this book fast enough. I'm so curious so see where the next book is headed. 

Cover Thoughts: Love the secret bookcase 

Why I Read This: Loved the first book

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your middle grade school and public library collections. 

Hand this to Readers: who love puzzle books and action books

Board Book: Hoot Hoot

 

A little boy is ready for bed but can't sleep. He keeps hearing all these sounds. What could it be?

I love the big eyes continue throughout the book with different animals. And the ending is funny. This will be a fun book to read out loud. And I'm sure it will be read over and over again.

* book sent for review

Review: Eliza from Scratch

 

Eliza's two semesters away from being Salutatorian. But there's a problem with her schedule. Instead of an AP class, she's been placed into a culinary arts class. While Eliza's mother is a fantastic cook, Eliza herself is terrible. She's nervous that this class will allow the next person to pass her in class standings. 

When the teacher assigns her partner for the semester, Eliza can't believe her misfortune. She's stuck working in with Wesley. He knows his way around the kitchen and he's just as unhappy at being paired with her. The mix together like oil and water. Can they learn to work together?

My Thoughts: I really loved this one. I felt bad for Eliza's mother who is struggling with grief, but I loved the moment of cooking between her and Eliza. I loved how it became a place for her to share stories with her daughter. And for Eliza, it became not only helpful in her class, but also helpful connecting to a culture and person that she didn't really know. I loved the cooking mishaps. I love how Eliza grew during the year from being so focused to allowing herself to have some fun. I do love her banter and her cooking moments with Wesley. I love how they started to get to know each other and push through their first impressions. This is Sophia Lee's debut novel, and she nailed it. I would give her a handshake. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Why I read it: I love cooking books

Hand it to: Those who love cooking shows

Review: Death in the Cards

 

Danika reads Tarot cards at school to make a little extra money. One day a girl she's never seen before approaches her. It turns about her sister is missing and Danika read cards for her before her disappearance. Gaby needs answers.

Danika's mother is a private investigator. Danika longs to join her in cases, but so far, she's being kept to the business side of things. Until her age is beneficial. She can ask questions and get into places her mother can't. Maybe this could be her big break.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. It reminded me a little bit of Veronica Mars. I loved the tarot card readings. I loved watching Danika work her magic. Her family was great - I especially enjoyed her cousins. I like how Danika works at her relationships because she's not great at them. Obviously, I was a huge fan of all the food described. The mystery was great with twists and turns and a little danger.  

I hope this is the first book in a series! 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Why I Read This: While I do love mysteries, I read this for the Tarot card aspect

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library's mystery collection

Hand this to: Everyone who likes thrillers

Picture Book Review: Falling Star

One star waits to grant wishes, but it takes a toll on the star and the star falls. The star isn't sure what to do anymore or who to be.

So many emotions is this book! It's a great book to talk about change and failure and success. Sometimes life changes things in ways people can't imagine. This book carries that message across beautifully. 

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Beach/Vacation Reads

 This week's topic is all about books you'd read at the beach or take on vacation with you. Here are some I've read this year that I recommend. 

Have you read any of these?

Author Interview: Lucy Knisley

 

I'm super excited today to be chatting with Lucy Knisley. 

I love her Peapod Farm graphic novel trilogy.

The next (and last) book in the trilogy comes out next week!

And while it's the heat of summer, I'm ready to read about the snow.

Let's get chatting:

I love this trilogy. As the creator, is it sad saying goodbye to the characters? 

I'm not sure I'll ever really say goodbye to these characters! There's always a possibility I will return to Peapod Farm, but I do feel like I'm leaving them in a good place. Stepping Stones was about finding your footing in a new situation, Apple Crush was about figuring out how to navigate a new stage of friendship, and Sugar Shack is really about settling in to yourself. I think Jen, Andy and Reese have run the gauntlet of adolescence and step-sisterhood in a way that makes me feel like I did right by them, at least for now.

I can't wait to read Sugar Shack. 

Have you lived on a farm? What's the best part?

Yes! Just like Jen, I moved to the country with my mom when my parents split up. I'd been born and raised in the city up until then, so it was a big change. We didn't have a huge farm, but we had chickens for eggs, and we grew flowers and vegetables and sold them at the farmer's market. I also grew up working on larger farms in the area, milking cows and mucking manure and knocking bugs off organic produce. Obviously, there were parts I preferred over others. The best part of all was learning about where my food comes from-- the people that grow it and the land that produces it. Fresh food is delicious, and taking part in the making of it makes it even tastier! 

 

Do you have a favorite season? Favorite food(s) with that season?

I love summer-- best produce. Cherries and peaches and tomatoes and corn! But there are wonderful parts of farm life in every season. I tried to showcase those in the Peapod trilogy through the changing seasons-- even in the wintertime, when almost nothing grows, farming still continues and there's hard work and delicious treats.  

I do love all the berries of the summer. And the apples of the fall.

Do you have a favorite comic/graphic novel from childhood? 

I didn't grow up with the abundance of kids comics that we have now! But I was lucky enough to come up at the height of Calvin and Hobbes. Those were always my favorites. 

 Calvin and Hobbes are fun; I loved reading the comics from the newspapers. There were so many great ones. 

What's the best part about creating graphic novels?

I love it when a reader finds something in my books that I'd forgotten or that I'd done unintentionally, and tells me about it! Connecting with readers through my work-- making them feel less alone, or creating a kinship or appreciation for something, is my absolute favorite thing. I also like the part when I'm inking, because it's when I get to listen to an audiobook and watch the lines flow out without a lot of thought--writing and penciling takes a lot of focus and problem-solving, but inking is the part that, for me, let's me just enjoy drawing without a lot of concentration.

That does sound relaxing. 

Anything you'd like to share that I didn't ask?

Nope! I hope this book brings you coziness and makes you crave pancakes!